Possible rule changes for double-jabbed expats returning to UK

[DonGray]

Possible rule changes for double-jabbed expats returning to UK

Nadhim Zahawi, the vaccines minister said: “By the end of this month, UK nationals who have been vaccinated overseas will be able to talk to their GP, go through what vaccine they have had and have it registered with the NHS that they have been vaccinated.

How is this supposed to work? Surely most expats won't be registered with a UK GP

www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/07/25/double-jabbed-expats-free-travel-uk-relaxed-vaccine-rules/

www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/department-for-transport-nhs-nadhim-zahawi-government-northern-ireland-b947634.html

Yes, just seen this it is in the Guardian too..

www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/26/covid-quarantine-for-britons-vaccinated-abroad-to-be-dropped

"Ministers are expected to announce the change later this week, as part of a review of the wider rules governing international travel due to be held before 31 July."

Wondering too. I said on another thread that I suspect this is aimed at second home owners - or perhaps people who've moved to the UK from elsewhere who might have gone to their country of origin to get vaccinated, but this government doesn't normally care much about people who've moved to the UK from elsewhere, so it's prob not that...

And my understanding is certainly that once you move away from the UK, you're supposed to deregister from your GP and use your local medical system instead. If that's no longer the case, this is a strange way to tell us all!

I don't understand why they need the GP step, surely just recognising the type of vaccine would be enough? like they expect other countries to recognise the UK app.

It doesn't make sense--like the article says we de-registered with our GP. This only really works for people who are temporarily abroad, not long term expats.

It looks like they decided their policy was crap, tweaked it, then realised as the Guardian points out that as it stood it wouldn't really benefit anyone living abroad long term, so added the bit about having a think later in the summer for those with no GP.

@knitnerd90

It doesn't make sense--like the article says we de-registered with our GP. This only really works for people who are temporarily abroad, not long term expats.

Yep, we’re long term expats in the same boat..we got all excited until we realized the headlines don’t tell the full story

Anyhow hopefully it’s a sign that the penny is beginning to drop at Westminster that other countries are capable of vaccinating people to a standard that is acceptable to the UK, and that we might finally get a bit of reciprocity…..

It shouldn’t matter that they’ve been vaccinated. We know that they can still be infected and spread the virus so they should still have to isolate and test.

Ex pats wont be registered with a GP here though, will they? I have a friend who moved away and had to deregister from his GP, and even give up his driving license. He is double jabbed, but will still have to self isolate for 10 days when he comes here to visit his dad. He will be paying for a hire car that will be stuck on the drive for that duration. it is silly.

@XenoBitch

Ex pats wont be registered with a GP here though, will they? I have a friend who moved away and had to deregister from his GP, and even give up his driving license. He is double jabbed, but will still have to self isolate for 10 days when he comes here to visit his dad. He will be paying for a hire car that will be stuck on the drive for that duration. it is silly.

That's why the articles say such legislation involving a UK GP makes no sense and won't benefit many people and they're "looking into" that aspect.

My BIL and SIL are dual citizens and mostly live in the UK but managed to go back home for 3 months earlier this year. They got vaccinated there but do have a UK GP. So this will work for some people like that. But agree most true expats are stuffed.

@bumbleymummy

It shouldn’t matter that they’ve been vaccinated. We know that they can still be infected and spread the virus so they should still have to isolate and test.

Well given that statement I take it you are very unhappy with the rules HMG currently have in in place, right now, that allows many fully vaccinated British residents returning to the UK from their holidays to avoid isolation

This makes me (hollow) laugh.

Exactly, notimagain. You can go now to, say, Italy, and have your app /vaccination letter recognised by the Italian authorities. Great. But as it stands, the UK authorities won't accept their own bloody certificate when you get back, and you have to isolate and pay through the nose for 2 PCR tests per person when you get back.

I got excited for a minute too, we’re coming home from the Gulf very soon, but obviously not registered with a GP. Just goes to show what a bunch of idiots they are. They don’t even understand our own system!

I can't see this applying to those who have now got residency in another country. For example my future mother in law who due to Brexit has had to claim Spanish residency. She is supposed to be in the country in two weeks to do a ten day quarantine before our wedding but is refusing because she doesn't want to quarantine but won't say why 🙄.

I bet GP’s are thrilled to read this.

It's nonsense. They probably only consider "expats" to be like people they know who have a 2nd home and could have been vaccinated abroad. The ones who avoid paying tax elsewhere and come home to use the NHS when needed. Or pensioners who under the withdrawal agreement have rights to use the NHS. Not the rest of us who work, lost all our freedom of movement and haven't seen our families for 2 years. I have an EU covid "green pass". With that I could go freely on holiday within the EU, but cannot return to UK to visit family without quarantining 10 days in each direction. It makes no sense when others can go on holiday to eg France and return to Uk without. Numbers are so much worse in UK.

1. I know a reasonable number of people who've been vaccinated in a country they don't live in (both ways), fairly common London. USA and UAE - people were able to get a jab earlier than their age group here. They have GPs.
2. EU citizens returning for work need to be able to prove their vaccination status; quite a few went "home" but have a GP.
3. It isn't just about quarantine time, people will want a covid passport for events. Time to register with a GP is quick and necessary regardless.

Apparently visitors can register with a GP

"Temporary visitors and tourists
Anyone, regardless of their country of residence, is entitled to receive NHS primary medical services at a GP practice. This means tourists, or those from abroad visiting friends or family in England, should be treated in the same way as a UK resident. It also means GP practices cannot charge for this.
Patients should be registered as temporary if they intend to reside in the practice area for more than one day but less than three months."

www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/gp-practices/managing-your-practice-list/patient-registration

Yeah good luck with registering with a GO as a temp patient in the current world

I also doubt that a GP would create the necessary NHS record for a visitor - I have visited GPs as a visitor and I don't remember them taking the kind of information they'd need to set up/reactivate an NHS record that they could then add my covid vaccinations to. They were focused on treating the thing I needed to see them about.

Not to mention that even before covid, getting an appointment was challenging for non-urgent things. I can't imagine that's improved recently...

I think the government have basically decided we don't count, those of us who live abroad. They exclude us whenever they talk about "the British people" and this is just an extension of that, really. That or they forgot about us again.

@Anonawoman they’re not entitled to GP treatment if they live half the year somewhere else are they?
The term expats suggests someone who lives abroad permanently and shouldn’t be using the NHS for anything g but emergency treatment? British National suggests someone temporarily abroad, but I’m not sure it’s the right by term?

@notimagain yes, I think it’s ridiculous. Vaccinated people shouldn’t be getting special treatment when they can still contract and spread the virus.

GP surgeries and A&E are both free for anyone. Other BUS services (e.g. Referral to consultant) may incur a charge for overseas residents.